Family of slain Surrey man speaks out

The man shot down on Surrey streets was not a criminal or linked to gangs in any way, his family said Tuesday afternoon.

“This is an extraordinarily painful time. Arun was the heart of our family,” a press release issued by relatives says. “We are still trying to accept the reality that our son, brother, cousin, and nephew is gone.”

Bains, the 22-year-old nephew of Surrey-Newton NDP MLA Harry Bains, was rushed to hospital just before 3 a.m. Sunday, April 19, after being shot near 126 Street and 88 Avenue.

He died from his injuries at hospital.

The young man’s death is believed to be linked to a series of brazen street shootings involving rival drug dealers that has plagued Surrey and North Delta in recent weeks.

The family says Arun Bains had no links to any such activity.

“Arun was not a criminal. He was not a gang member. He was loved by everyone who knew him,” the family says. “Arun was a fine young man who loved his family and had a bright future ahead of him.”

An online court search of Bains shows only one appearance, and that was for failure to properly wear a seatbelt in April, 2014 in Victoria.

He has no criminal past, according to the search.

However the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Bains was “known to be associated to the people connected to the street level drug trade conflict.”

Police said last week the ongoing violence is linked to two groups of young feuding drug dealers in the South Asian and Somalian communities, most of whom have not been cooperative with investigators.

Arun Bains’ family says it will do whatever it can to help end the violence playing out on Surrey streets.

“We are determined to support our community’s efforts to end this violence and spare another family this pain,” the family says. “We strongly urge anyone with information about this incident or any criminal activity to contact the police immediately.”

Anyone with information can call the new 24-hour tip line at 604-915-6566.